Washington state filed a lawsuit today against Albertsons Companies – which owns the Albertsons, Safeway and Haggen grocery stores. The state said the company has been engaging in unfair trade practices and overcharging customers in its buy one, get one free deals – but the company disagrees.
Attorney General Nick Brown said the company has been artificially hiking up prices on products and then dropping them – leading customers to believe they’re getting a bargain. Albertsons Companies said in a statement that the lawsuit’s claims are based on flawed analysis and data errors.
“Albertsons Companies is committed to complying with the law and to offering customers clear value through our promotions,” the company said in the statement.
According to a news release from the Office of the Attorney General, Albertsons Companies has overcharged shoppers in 3 million transactions over five years.
The company owns 225 stores in the state.
Brown said the lawsuit is about holding the company accountable and protecting consumers.
“Trying to decide what products and food to buy for your family feels more important than ever before,” Brown said. “And part of that is because of misleading practices like this.”
This isn’t the first time the company has faced accusations of unfair trade practices. It paid to settle a similar lawsuit in Oregon in 2016 and a proposed lawsuit in Washington in 2023.
The company said it has “engaged in good‑faith discussions with the Attorney General’s Office” and that it will address the lawsuit through the legal process.
Brown is asking that the stores stop their unfair practices, pay customers back and pay a penalty to the state, but it will be up to a judge to decide whether that happens.
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